Golf-ball-marking device.



M. H. DEAN.

GOLF BALL MARKING DEVICE.

APPLICATION HLED DEC. 19, I914- Patented. M11220, 1915.

THE NORRIS F ETERS CO, PHOTO-LITHQ, WASHINGTON, D. c.

MARSHALL H. DEAN, OF HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

GOLF-BALL-MARKING, DEVICE.

ra nees.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 2t 1.915.

Application filed December 19, 1914.. Serial No. 878,112.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l, MARSHALL H. DEAN, acitizen of the United States, residing at l'larrisburg, in the county ofDauphin and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Golf-Ball- Marking Devices, of which the following is aspecification. V

The present invention relates to means for marking golf balls so thatthey maybe identified by their owners, and the object is to provide anexceedingly simple, and therefore inexpensive device which will not onlyeffectively brand or mark a ball, but will occupy relatively littlespace, so that it can be carried in the *pocket or made a convenientpart of the equipment of a golfer.

Several embodiments of the invention that have proven entirelysatisfactory, are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, whereinFigure 1 is a side elevation of probably the preferred form. Fig. 2 is asimilar view of a slight modification of the same. Fig. 3 is asideelevation of another modification, and Fig. 1 is a cross sectional viewon the line H of Fig. 1, in order to show the marking element. Figs. 5and 6 are side views of structures corresponding respectively to thoseillustrated in Fig. 1 and 2, but showing slight modifications in theformation of the ball encircling members.

Similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts in all thefigures of the drawings.

Referring first to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, a contractileball-encircling member 5 is employed that is substantially in the formof a ring, one side of which is provided with a substantially straightportion 6, having an inturned terminal 7 that overlaps the outwardlyturned terminal 8 of the opposite end of the member. Upon the inner sideof the said member 5 is located a marking element, which in the presentembodiment is shown in the form of three raised letters 9, which mayconstitute the initials of the person owning the balls to be marked.These letters or other designations may be formed and secured or locatedwithin the ring in any suitable manner. In the present embodiment, theyare permanently attached.

The ring is contracted by a thumb screw 10, threaded as shown at 11 inthe outer terminal '7 of the member, and having a bearlng 12 against the.inner terminal.

The manner of using the device will be evident. The member 5 is largeenough to encircle an ordinary golf ball, and when such a ball is placedtherein, indicated in Fig. 1, the screw 10 is then turned so as themarking element 9 and said arm has its terminal extending within theterminal 7 A thumb screw 10, threaded into the ter minal 7 bears againstthe free end of the arm 8 and serves as the means for contracting thering member 5 The operation of this device is substantially the same asthat already described. In Fig. 3 the ring member is designated 5 and itis substantially circular with outturned terminals 6 and 7 Within thisring is placed a marking element 9 and a contracting thumb screw 10threaded into the terminal 6 has a rotary bearing against the terminal7*. By turning this screw in one direction, the ring member will becontracted, and will be permitted to expand if said screw is turned inthe opposite direction.

The structure illustrated in Fig. 5 corresponds very closely to thatillustrated in Fig. 1, except that the ball-encircling member 5 has itsintermediate portion of less thickness than its terminal portions, andthe structure shown in Fig. 6, in like manner, corresponds substantiallyto that illustrated in Fig. 2, except that the ball-encircling memberdesignated 5 also has its intermediate portion thinner than its ends.Experience has demonstrated that this is probably the preferablestructure, in that it permits the band to more easily close in upon andengage the ball, while the thicker end portions not only provideadditional material for the screw, but also a more rigid support for themarking elements.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation andmany advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art, without further description, and it will beunderstood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion and minordetails of construction, may be resorted to without departing fromthespirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device of the character set forth, a contractile ball-encirclingmember having a portion for bearing against a ball, a markingelement-carrying portion spaced there from and a portion connecting thetwo firstmentioned portions, and means other than said connectingportion for contracting the member to cause the portion that bearsagainst the ball and the marking element carrying portion to berelatively moved toward each other. e

2. In a device of the character set forth, a contractile ball-encirclingring, a marking element therein, and means for contracting the ring, 'tomark a ball encircled by said ring.

3. In a device of the character set forth, a contractile ball-encirclingmemberhaving separate end portions, a marking element carried by themember, and means engaging theend portions for contracting the member,to mark a ball encircled thereby.

4. In a device of the character set forth, a contractile ball-encirclingring having sep arate ends, a marking element carried on the inside ofthe ring, and means engaged withv the end portions of the ring forcontracting the same, to cause the marking element to mark a ballencircled by said ring.

5. In a device of the character set forth, a contractile ball-encirclingmember having separate overlapping ends, a marking element locatedwithin the member, and means -for relatively moving the ends to contractwithin said ring.

7. In a device of the character set forth, a contractile ball-encirclingmember having its intermediate portion thinner than its end portions,means for contracting said member, and a marking element located withinthe member.

7 8.- In a device of the character set forth, a contractileball-enci1clingii11g having its intermediate portion thinner than itsend portions, one of said end portions being disposed in angularrelation to the remainder, a marking element located on said angularportion, and means engaging the ends of the ring for contracting thesame.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

MARSHALL H. DEAN.

Witnesses MABEL M. VVALLowEn, CHARLES J. SOURBIER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, 7 Washington, D. G.

